44-hectare solar farm proposed at Aglish, Coolnashamroge, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 52 solar farm applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council is due to decide by 24 September 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Cork County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

A 10 Year Planning Permission. The development will consist of: A solar farm with a total area of circa 44 hectares. The solar farm will consist of solar panels on ground mounted frames, 5 no. single storey electrical inverter/transformer stations, 3 no. single storey spare parts containers, 5 no. battery energy storage containers, 1 no. Ring Main Unit, 4 no. weather stations, underground electrical ducting and cabling within the development site, private lands and within the L6203, L2200, L6398, L6207, R619, L22011, L2204, L-6207, L6212 and L2200 public roads (including 5 no. Horizontal Directional Drills in the L-22011, L-6212, L-6207, L-2204 roads and within private lands) to connect solar farm field parcels, security and acoustic fencing, CCTV, access tracks, 2 no. stream/drain deck crossings, temporary construction compounds, landscaping and all associated ancillary development and drainage works. Construction and operational access will be via 3 no. entrances from the L6203, L22011, L2200 local roads. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. Electricity generated from the northern parcel of the solar farm will be transported via underground electrical ducting and cabling to an inverter/transformer permitted under Cork County Council Reference 24/6157 / An Coimisiún Pleanála Reference ACP-323402-25, but will not alter infrastructure under that application. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply.